I would like State Trustees to help

Why choose us as an executor of your will?

You may want to take away the burden from your family or loved ones at an emotional time. Or you may simply have no one to appoint as an executor who would be able to do the complex tasks of administering an estate. This is where we can help.

We are an independent and impartial executor with a wealth of experience. We are experts in all aspects of estate administration. We administer more deceased estates than any other organisation in Victoria.

How can you appoint us and how can we help?

You can choose us as your executor in your will.

An executor can also choose to appoint us to take over their role and administer an estate. They need to do this before they have received a grant of probate.

As Victoria’s leading estate administrator, we can help in the following ways.

Deceased Estate Administration (convenient end-to-end administration)

We can manage the estate on your behalf.

If you’ve been appointed as executor but don’t believe you have the time or ability to fulfil the role, you can choose to authorise State Trustees to administer the estate on your behalf. Fees in relation to the complete administration are charged to the estate.

When appointed or authorised as an executor, State Trustees will:

• take on complete legal responsibility and liability for the estate
• take the pressure off you at a difficult time
• act impartially at all times with a focus on carrying out the wishes of the person who has died
• use our experience to help you get the best outcome possible
• offer convenient end-to-end estate administration
• handle outstanding debts and estate administration costs

State Trustees can administer an estate on your behalf in any of the following situations:

• if there is no Will and if you are an eligible next of kin according to the laws of intestacy, you may authorise State Trustees to act
• if you have been appointed as executor and don’t wish to proceed for any reason, you can authorise State Trustees to fulfil the role of executor.
• if all of the named executors are not available, able, or willing to take on the role, the next of kin with the largest entitlement can authorise State Trustees to administer the estate
• where State Trustees has already been appointed in the will.

What it costs

We charge our fees for estate administration to the estate. You can read more in our guide to fees and charges.

Executor Assist (help with specific tasks)

We can support you in your role as executor.

You may feel honoured to have been appointed as executor in the Will of someone close to you. However, it can also be a huge responsibility – one that comes at a time when you are grieving a personal loss.

If you wish to retain your role as executor, State Trustees can help with specific estate administration tasks. Fees in relation to specific services are charged to the Executor, but can be reimbursed from the estate.

Our experts can support you whether you’re at the start of the estate administration process or if you have already obtained a grant of probate.

State Trustees can be engaged on your behalf for tasks such as:

• applying for and obtaining a grant of probate
• taxation, including preparation of required returns and tax advice with respect to the deceased tax payer and the estate
• estate-related legal services such as non-standard conveyancing
• administration services, including selling and distributing assets
• genealogy services to locate any family members who have been left bequests in the Will

We can help you as an executor with some of the more complex tasks you need to do.

It can be an honour when someone close to you appoints you as an executor in their will. However, it can also be a huge responsibility at a time when you are grieving.

You can use this service at any time during the estate administration. If you use this service, you will still have the legal responsibility for the estate.

For more information about the role of an executor and the tasks you need to do, download our executor checklist.

What it costs

We charge our fees for estate administration to the estate. You can read more in our guide to fees and charges.

Executor assistance when there is no Will

Where there is no Will, State Trustees may be engaged to administer an intestate estate or assist the most entitled person of the estate to carry out specific tasks on their behalf.

State Trustees has been administering deceased estates for decades so we’re experts in dealing with estates of varying levels of complexity. Our professionals provide unbiased service and trusted, individual care.Every situation is unique and expert help can make a real difference.

Read more about what happens when there is no will.

Contact us for obligation-free advice about how we can help you. Call 1300 138 672.

Helping everyday people with executor assistance

John and his brother Justin were named as Executors of their deceased father’s estate. Both brothers found some of the tasks very challenging and were initially concerned that they would need to consult an Attorney but received advice that State Trustees could assist at a reasonable fee.

“As an executor, handling someone’s Estate can be quite challenging. Someone suggested that State Trustees could assist, rather than going down the path of a Solicitor. We initially contacted State Trustees who promptly emailed both Justin and I a proposal with a scale of fees, which we thought were very reasonable.”

The brothers were provided with great support through their journey and were kept informed every step of the way.

“Throughout the journey, Sophie has provided great support, and everything was done in a timely manner to the point of Probate being granted. We have no hesitation in recommending State Trustees to assist other Executors going on the same journey.” – John Goold

Every situation is unique and expert help can make a real difference.

For an no obligation discussion to understand how our services can be of benefit, contact State Trustees today on 1300 138 672.